“Patricia, I don’t even know what to do; I feel like I am losing my mind." Louisa’s voice sounded shaky as she managed to say, “Brandon is gone, Vice is gone, and I am just left with Rocky, Patricia. I am hanging on a loose thread right now, and it seems like I am losing you too.“Loosing me, how? We are still friends,” Patricia said, though I couldn’t see both their expressions; their voice was enough as I continued eavesdropping.“Are you kidding? Scarlett? You invited her first before you even told me that you were already here; you told me you would be returning at the end of the month, not two weeks before then,” Louisa complained with a hint of jealousy. I am still trying to understand their strife, and now Louisa was switching the topic.“You have nothing to worry about Scarlett; she is a good person, and I clearly just want to know her better. Besides, I have been keeping up with Brandon, so I think it is time you make a police report about him for the money he stole and file
SETH POV“Of course, Mr. Mayor, I will surely let my wife know that you extend your greetings,” Mr. Thatcher said over the phone as he entered the car. He ended the call shortly and placed his bag on his side. “Ah, Seth, I am glad you came on short notice; I hope I wasn't a burden."“Not at all, sir,” I answered, starting off the engine. “Where to, sir?”“Why are you being so modest?” Mr. Thatcher stated with a short smile as he arranged his suit, “I think we should head home, don’t you think?” He replied.“Alright,” I say as I drive out of the parking lot.My ears were close to most of the things he said, until he asked about Bella and how she was doing: “You two break up; is it temporary or permanent? What must have been the reason she left? Bella is a sweet lady, and Carmela truly misses her,” Mr. Thatcher added.This was a topic I have quite been avoiding whenever I am asked, also because though I have tried reaching out to speak with Bella for more understanding, she has refused
SETH POVScarlett curled up in my arm as we slept together through the late hours of the evening. We had sex multiple times and took breaks in between, and still we were never tired of each other. My fingertips strolled her shoulders down to her arm length as I admired and appreciated every bit of her. It was so soon, the way we had gotten together, but I don't regret it, and neither does she.Scarlett twisted her body away as she opened her eyes to me staring at her, my elbow placed under my jaw as I used my other hand to touch her face. "You sleep so beautifully." I kissed her nose and playfully toyed with her hair.She sniffs. "Seth, what time is it?" pulling the blanket to cover up her bare body."Seven," I replied, my face still smiling at her as she froze. "Oh my God, Seth, Michael is going to kill me; why didn't you try waking me up?" She asks as worry spreads across her face, but still, she didn't try wanting to leave.Scarlett pulled me even closer. "I might as well stay for a
I froze at that very moment as I stared at Seth to help figure out a way out of this situation I just found myself in, knowing my daughter wouldn't drop it, as it does feel presumptuous that I would do a thing like this; it is so unlike me."Erm..." I began still being clueless. "I guess I will have to change seats then; I thought you wouldn't like me sitting with you." I lied as I grabbed hold of the handle of the door to pull, and Seth stopped me, holding me back. "What are you doing?" I asked quietly, even though it was useless since my daughter could see things for herself."Where do you think you are going?" He asked like he wasn't in the car with us."Seth, I need to sit in the back with my daughter," I say, trying to take his hands off mine. His grip tightens, and I hold his gaze with pleasure. "Seth...""You promised," Seth said, his entire expression clinging to hopelessness. I knew he was disappointed that I was changing my mind right now, but I feel he should understand. Thi
Everything happened so quickly that I was hazed out of reality until he kissed my bosom, which he had been staring out at for a long time. I couldn't blame him; my breast did come off as tempting, shooting off from my bra, and my dress tightened it to make a perfect, delectable shape.I watched in sweet horror as he relieved me of the tightness of my dress, revealing my breasts to him, which were shielded by a see-through white bra that covered nothing. My nipples suddenly craved his touch.I bit my lips at how anger has quickly changed into pleasure. I wanted him so badly, and the thought of how many questions will be asked or the rumors flying right now as to what I was doing here only added to how insane what he was doing to me was."Seth, we need to talk," I say, trying to stand my ground even though every part of my body was giving up."Talk about what?" He asked, his eyes lifted up to look at me. "Talk about what Scarlett," he whispered in my ears, and I closed my ears at the sof
Seth and I were no longer on talking terms; it was just that I could see him, but he continued to maintain his distance and only did things that his job required of him. It was that serious and hard to ignore, but I tried because maybe this is what we both need—space.I did watch him from my window whenever Michael wasn't around. I was confused as to how I felt for him. Maybe I have ruined his life by wanting to be with him back then, which was what brought us to this point.Thinking back now, we never actually had any real conversation except for the ones we shared on the bed, and it was just about us giving space to our partners, of which he kept his end of the bargain despite giving me troubles at the beginning. I, on the other hand, who thought I could hold back Michael from me, ended up pushing our relationship outwards.Maybe I was the one who caused the rift; maybe I did confuse Seth...My thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Vanessa, as I quickly jumped and went down to
I shouldn't think about it much; Leo is going through a phase and will get past it if I handle this correctly. I wiped my sweaty hands on my clothes as I went outside and approached Seth. "I need the keys," I requested.He was puzzled, and I feel he wanted to ask me what for but just gave it to me either way. I collected it and quickly sat in the car, turning on the engine. I inhaled and exhaled multiple times, trying not to use my emotions while driving, as it would have plausible damage.Still, I couldn't get it out of my mind that my son was part of that community.I drove over to Louisa's place, which wasn't that much of a drive from the hall; her security didn't do much checking as they allowed me in clearly because they knew who I was. As I stepped out of the car, the anger that I had suppressed a while ago had come to overpower me.I walked into her house, clearly ready for a fight and to challenge her as she deserved. Louisa had no clue what I was here for, and she welcomed me.
I thought it was all over, but I was slowly losing myself. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that, may son, oh god no. I needed an excuse to put Leo in check, one that wouldn't make him suspect that I knew about him and Rocky while still drifting them apart.I had to, for the sake of Michael as well. I wonder how he would react if he finds out. I am sure, just like me, he would try to separate them. I can't even let him know."Please let me put Carmela to sleep; she requested it," Vanessa said as we stood at the passageway between Carmela and Leo's room."I have no problem with that, Vanessa; there is no need to ask even," I say to her while she knocks on Carmela's door. I wait till she has gotten in before I knock on Leo's.Leo was still in his suit, unlike Carmela, who had changed. "Mum," Leo said as he opened the door. I didn't even bother to look at his face because I was plainly disgusted. "Mum, is there a problem?""None, dear," I say while having my hands on his laptop. "W
The minute I stepped foot into that place Michael called home for me and my children, it was the moment I lost all contact with Seth and the world. I never go anywhere without security following me around, monitoring my every movement and the things that I do, and making sure that they work according to my given schedule.Michael has gone insane.“Michael I am tired of all these.” I threw off my shoes and flung them out the window, and wherever they landed, I absolutely had no care for them. “I am tired!”“Then leave!” Michael screamed at my face as he slammed our room door, locking it shut. “I know you want his touch; you are doing all of these because you miss him, don’t you?”“For six months I haven’t seen him; I have adhered to every one of your demands and kept away from him; all I want is for you to sign the divorce papers and free me,” I say, moving away from him."Clearly, you don’t know that I won’t know such things, so act right and come down right now!” Michael yelled, and
“Carmela, hurry up; you are going to be late for school,” I screamed from the kitchen where I was packing up her lunch. When I didn’t hear anything from her, I went to knock on her door. The door pushed open as I held it. “Carmela.”“Mum, come take a look,” Carmela pointed at the two vehicles with security detail waiting in front of Seth’s apartment.“Ignore them,” I said to her before closing off the curtain. “Seth said he will drop you off at school before we head to the hospital to pick up your brother. Leo is finally returning home.”“Yay,” Carmela feigned excitement. “I am sure he is going to gain all of your attention now.” My forehead creased as I looked directly at her. I saw a small smile on her face. “I am kidding, mom. It is so easy to get to you. Make sure you give him all of the love for me.”“I think you should skip school today and come see him.”“And ruin my perfect record? No, I told you I would do better in school than Leo ever was,” Carmela said as she picked up her
“Why didn’t you tell me that Leo was alive? What was the need for keeping it away from me and from us?” Michael asked. Carmela had stared with the bitterness she had felt looking at her father this morning.“I did it so Brianna would confess,” I answered.“For fuck sake, Scarlett, if she had gotten arrested, she would have confessed either way; she killed our son, I mean almost,” Michael said as he moved back and forth.“And that is almost the reason he is alive today, Michael. I know Brianna was in her head yesterday, but she is not a bad person and still is my friend,” I acknowledged. “Everything she has done was to provide for her family; there is nothing wrong with that.”“By blackmailing you? Honey, have you gone mad? How can you call someone who has done all these things a friend? I pray she rots in jail for the sins she has caused you.” Michael pulled me and hugged me. I sniffed his shirt, and there was an unfamiliar scent—feminine, I would say.I already knew he had sex when h
A few talks with the officer were all I needed to get a name that I already knew. I couldn’t believe that the person I trusted so much about would have done this to me. I don’t deserve this. I may be a bad person, but I don’t deserve this at all.We drove over to my son’s murderer’s house as I begged for the police to let me speak to her personally; she is my friend after all.“She won’t harm me; Brianna already told me she would be waiting to speak to me,” I said, trying to convince the officer to wait.I knocked on the door of Brianna’s home, and it opened slightly, given that she hadn’t locked the door as she said she wouldn’t.“You came,” Brianna sat in the darkness of her home. I saw different weapons like a gun, a knife, and a couple of pills on the table. She said, “Don’t worry, they aren’t for you.”“I know,” I said. “You won’t harm me, Brianna.”“I hate you.” She said so simply as she whimpered silently, “You are so lucky; you have a good life, family, money , everything. I a
A heavy downpour of rain washed over Leo’s grave, and while everyone sought shelter from it, I stood there wondering how lonely it would be over there—no one to talk to, no food to eat—at least you wouldn’t have to study any more.My lips thinned as I exhaled deeply.There is no mother to tell you what you can and cannnot, how to live your life, or who you should be with.I kneeled down as I allowed the dirt to stain all over me, losing my mind at the thought that Leo was actually gone, like I would never get to see him again."Leo, I am sorry.” I cried out as all my pain weakened me. A snort came out of my nose as I continued to cry. It will take the intervention of everyone to leave my son’s at this point.I didn’t give him what he wanted and always found a way to make his life about Michael. I used him as a pawn to achieve Michael’s success, and I only started to feel sorry for it when he outgrew me.I never got to amend my relationship with my son; I never got to do that, and now
Seth was shocked as to where I had gotten such courage from. I mean, I was drunk in his scent and clearly wasn’t thinking properly, but his saying I should go ahead was where I understood he wanted it too."Seth, look at where we are. Do you think God will want to see that from two fornicators?” I asked, and Seth burst out laughing.“Fornicators? So that is who we are now. I have never felt sin be this good before. You think maybe he will forgive us so easily?” Seth asked as he looked around the chapel.“No, God doesn’t work that way, dear; you have to be remorseful and actually pay the price for the sin before he forgives, I think, but though he is merciful, his forgiveness doesn’t come cheap,” I said, smiling. “I also don’t think we should be this close.” I tried to push him further away while pulling him back at the same time.“Since we are fornicators?" Seth laughed, and the room fell into silence as he gazed at me ever so lovingly. “I know this is wrong, but I miss you,” he said
I visited the hospital frequently as if it were my home; I had to because Leo was yet to wake up and none of us knew exactly how he wound up at shore for that good man who was fishing to find him.Weeks after weeks, and though the doctors said he was responding to treatment and would probably wake up, there was still no sign of that happening, and now I am starting to become worried.For the first week, Leo’s health had been unstable. We received a lot of visitors at the hospital, but as the days pushed into weeks and then a whole month, everyone who we thought cared had soon forgotten and gone back to their own business.I hardly saw any of my friends around either; they were mostly focused on Laura for now, except for Melissa, and that is solely because she is Leo’s godmother; of course she has to be here along with her son.Even Rocky, whom I thought would be here every day, was also occupied, and I understand he has school and his mother to worry about, so maybe he can be excused
Silence, a void only one could hear and feel for themselves.“Scarlett, Sarlett, Scarlett.” They all called my name from different areas, but their voices never got to me.Could this be true? Could it be?My son is gone, and I am supposed to feel okay about it.I failed as a mother; I failed as his friend; and I failed as his world.When Leo needed me the most, I was never there for him. I don’t deserve happiness at all.My eyes closed as I allowed darkness to seep into me.*** **** ********* ********** ******* ****** ******* ****** ******* My eyes finally opened to see all of my loved ones gathered around my bed, with the beeping sound disturbing my hearing. I looked around, not saying anything. Where would I find the words?“Mum has woken up,” Carmela’s voice said out loud as everyone who was around the doctor soon came to me.“Darling,” Michael touched my face as he kissed my forehead. At first, I wondered why he was getting so affectionate until I saw who came as well.
~SCARLETT POV~Ambulance sirens blared as lots of body bags were being brought out and taken into the morgue one after the other, my hands shivering. I had already cried in the car. I can't help it now that I have seen Carmela in tears. She would need me to be strong for her, and I can’t help being weak in front of her.“Mum, why do horrible things always happen to us?” Carmela asked as she embraced me, her tears trickling down from her eyes to my shoulder as I stroked her back. “All will be fine, dear; we just have to identify the bodies; we have to hope your brother isn’t a part of it.”I was breaking down so badly; I was so occupied with myself that I never paid attention. God, I only ask for one thing, and that is for my son not to be a part of the dead bodies that drowned at sea.It was hard to pray because it was confirmed that Leo and Rocky were indeed on the guest list for the cruise and that they did attend.“Mrs. Thatcher,” The officer called as I turned, my heart beating ex